Spelman College Celebrates #SpelmanFoundersDay As the HBCU Turns 136

Happy birthday Spelman College! School pride in one’s alma mater is oftentimes a given, but there’s something different about the way Spelman College students rep the pride they have for their college. Spelman Founders Day this year was a perfect example of that. Tuesday (April 11) marked Spelman College’s 136th year since its inception back in 1888. Spelmanites commemorated the event on social via the #SpelmanFoundersDay hashtag.

For those of you who don’t know, Spelman College is a historically black college for women and is one of the oldest HBCUs in the country. It is currently ranked as the number one HBCU in the nation’s top liberal arts college by U.S. News & World Report. It has also the alma mater of some notable African Americans, including former Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer, Pulitzer Prize winner and author Alice Walker, The Cosby Show actress Keisha Knight Pulliam, actress and television personality Tanika Ray, and Access Hollywood co-anchor Shaun Robinson to name a few.

The institute of higher learning is a staple in black and Atlanta culture and has a lot of prestige affiliated with its name, which is why so many young women of color still flock to the school to pursue their education. The school even made an incredible yet bold move back in 2013 when they decided to cut their athletics program in favor of redirecting those budgeting efforts toward wellness programs available to all students.

On founders day, Spelmanites came out to celebrate the schools 136th anniversary, observing the day with events like a special cake-cutting ceremony and a convocation service. Students of the past and present took to social media to show their school spirit and all the founders day fun with the hashtag #SpelmanFoundersDay. Spelmanites even got the hashtag to start trending. Check out some of the fun festivities and inspiring educated sistas decked out in all their Columbia blue and white glory below!